February 7, 2014

Page Two

STATE OF WASHINGTON

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES

DIVISION OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION

1-800-637-5627 (V/TTY) or (360) 725-3612 (V/TTY) or www1.wa.gov/dshs/dvr

4565 7th Avenue SE, 1st Floor ● Lacey WA

Mailing Address: PO Box 45340 ● Olympia WA 98504-5340

February 10, 2014

Dear Tribal Leader,

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) plans to amend and add rules or Washington Administrative Codes (WACs) to Chapter 388-891 WAC- Vocational Rehabilitation Services for Individuals with Disabilities. Before we start the official rule-making process we are soliciting additional input from tribes. Previous workgroups were held on March 19th, June 10th and August 8th.

DVR WAC will be on the April 11th Consultation Agenda in Spokane. Prior to the consultation two workgroup meetings are scheduled to obtain your comments and finalize suggestions to the proposed WAC changes. The workgroup meetings will be held by video conference on:

·  Thursday February 13th, 1 p.m. (as part of the IPAC JJRA Committee meeting)

·  Wednesday March 19th, 1 p.m.

The following video conference sites have ben reserved for the February 13th meeting:

Region 1- North Spokane- Colville Conference Room- 8517 E. Trent Ave, Spokane, WA

Region 1- South Yakima- Yakima CSO Conference Room- 1002 N. 16th Yakima, WA

Region 2- North Everett- ACES Conference Room-840 N. Broadway Everett, WA

Region 2- Rainier Executive Conference Room- 3600 S Graham St. Seattle, WA

Region 3- Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe-5th Ave. Sequim, WA

Region 3- South Olympia- Service Level 04-1115 SE Washington Street Olympia, WA

Region 3- Cowlitz Tribe- 1055 9th Avenue, Suite B, Longview, WA

Here are the instructions for the February 13th video conference:

When you are at the video conference site dial the following number:

Phone number: 360-902-7510

You will be prompted for a conference code: 9701#

(please make sure to press the pound key after)

You will be prompted for a security pin: 4102312#

(please make sure to press the pound key after)

If you or your representative are not available to participate in the tribal workgroups or consultation there will be opportunities to provide input as part of the official rule-making process.

The current WACs, Chapter 388-891, the wording of the proposed changes, and a summary of the changes will be posted on the DVR website: http://www.dshs.wa.gov/dvr/About/VRLaws.aspx

If you have any questions or need additional information please contact Mike Cunningham, Policy Manager, at (360) 725-3621, , or Don Kay, Assistant Director, at (360) 725-3623, .

Sincerely,

Andres F. Aguirre, Director

Deparment of Social and Health Services

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation